AFFTA Awards Washington, D.C. Conservation Leaders

Congressional Reception took place last night in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. – The American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) held a Capitol Hill reception last night to celebrate champions for clean water, fish habitat and the outdoor industry. Earlier in the week, AFFTA awarded four conservation leaders including Senator John Tester (D-MT), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and White House Senior Advisor Brian Deese. AFFTA President Ben Bulis, along with AFFTA Members Simms Fishing Products, The Boat Company and AC Beane Outdoors were on hand to present the awards.

“Fishermen and our $646-billion outdoor recreation industry depend on clean water and healthy fish habitat,” said Ben Bulis, President of the Bozeman, Montana-based American Fly Fishing Trade Association.

“We are attentive to opportunities to protect clean water for fish and fishermen, and appreciate all that leaders in Congress and the White House are doing to protect our outdoor heritage and sporting traditions.”

AFFTA is also closely watching public debate around potential conservation of the Canyons and Seamounts area of the Atlantic Ocean — off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts — and supports a monument designation for the area should access for recreational fishing be permitted. This unique ocean ecosystem supports a wide variety of fish and coral species.